This Week’s Top Stories

Serena Williams Launches Her Own Clothing Line

Serena Williams just won her first professional tennis match after giving birth to her daughter Olympia, but somehow her French Open win isn’t today’s biggest Serena-related news. So here it is: Serena Williams is launching her own direct-to-consumer fashion collection of sportswear and evening wear. As if that wasn’t enough, every piece is under $250 (£188). At a preview of the line, which launches today with 12 items and will have additional releases throughout the summer and autumn, Williams explained the philosophy behind the Serena collection. [VOGUE UK]

Sadness Does Not Discriminate: Reflecting on Kate Spade

On Tuesday, June 5th, Kate Spade was reportedly found dead in her Upper East Side home (link is external). She leaves behind her husband and 13-year-old daughter. Hundreds of celebrities (link is external) and fans (link is external) alike have shared their reactions of shock, heartfelt condolences for her loved ones, and unfortunate mental health lessons in the aftermath of her passing. Does Not Discriminate: Reflecting on Kate Spade [Psychology Today]

The CFDA Awards 2018 Winners

On Monday, the Council of Fashion Designers of America celebrated the industry’s biggest players at the CFDA Awards 2018. Pre-announced honourees included British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful OBE, who received the Media Award in honour of Eugenia Sheppard, Diane von Furstenberg, who was presented the Swarovski Award for Positive Change; Carolina Herrera, who took home the Founder’s Award in honour of Eleanor Lambert; Narciso Rodriguez, who was awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award; Donatella Versace, who was recognised in the International Award category; and Naomi Campbell, who was crowned the CFDA Fashion Icon.[VOGUE]

From armour to icon: How women’s suits became cool again

Women first wore suits to mirror the men in their male-dominated workplaces. But in the now-casual office, women are redefining the suit in their own image. In her eight years rising through the ranks of J.P. Morgan, Joanna Dai spent her days–and late nights–in starchy business suits. In the male-dominated world of investment banking, the blazer and matching trouser set was like a suit of armour. [Fast Company]

‘Skinny Privilege’ and Who Deserves Fashion

Recently a Cut fashion story sparked a small conversation on Twitter. It was a piece by one of our editors about how she wanted a high-necked, ruffled, below-the-knee “prairie dress.” This seemed innocuous enough — prairie dresses, though certainly not a look that everybody likes, are widely available this summer. Lindsay, who wrote the story, expressed her love for the trend and found a bunch of options for people who might also want to buy them. We should have known better, because fundamentalist-Mormon-type cotton dresses are one of those divisive fashion items that Balkanize the internet. [The Cut]

Vogue Arabia Hails ‘Trailblazing’ Saudi Women

Vogue Arabia dedicated its June issue to the “trailblazing” women of Saudi Arabia by putting a glamorously dressed daughter of a former king behind the wheel of a red convertible on the front cover as the kingdom prepares to become the last country in the world to allow women to drive. Such an image — Princess Hayfa bint Abdullah Al Saud sitting in the driver’s seat outside the city of Jeddah, wearing leather gloves and stiletto booties, hair peeping out of her white abaya — could until recently have triggered a backlash. [Business of Fashion]

Bethany Morrison is a Alumna of Andrews University and has a BS in Psychology. For as long as she can remember, she's been into creative writing and extensive research. She plans to incorporate her love for law and psychology for her future career.